More rescued hedgehogs and urgent wildlife appeal

We had three hedgehogs brought in yesterday, another two today.  Plus the injured and young birds we’ve had brought in this week.  We need more accommodation, an extra large shed would be good plus funds to refurbish an existing shed and fix it up so we can accommodate more of the poorly wildlife we get brought in to us.  They would linger and die if we didn’t take them and it’s so rewarding to be able to save them and release back into the wild.   Most of their problems are caused by humans, loss of habitat and modern farming methods  is a major cause of starvation, injuries caused by cars and poisoning from chemicals all contribute.

We maintain large areas of land which are organic and left wild and as nature intended.  Secure fencing is a major expense and we provide owl boxes and shelters.   We have vet fees for the injured animals and birds who need immediate help, feeding is expensive, our birds eat a lot of grain, meat and chicks.  Maintaining aviaries is ongoing and we need many more.   What’s on the plus side?   It’s when we release the hedgehogs and see them, fat and health as they  toddle off into the undergrowth.   Letting the sparrow hawks go, flying like arrows up into he blue sky.  Seeing the kestrels restored to health and soaring above us before heading to the woods. We have a lot of fantastically happy endings – not all of the owls go – we see ‘our’ tawnies on the cctv coming back for chicks late evening.  Some of the hedgehogs call round for supper and Ricky the crow?   He’s here every day – shouting ‘caw’ to us when he’d like a dish of food or to tell us that there’s a magpie around!

The hedgehog shown above was brought in earlier today, he’s an adult and a boy, in fairly good condition.  So what’s wrong with him?   He’s been out on a lawn for the past two days and is lethargic.  We’ve been told the dog was very excited and wanting to get to him so it wasn’t anywhere he could be left.  When a hedgehog is out during the day and doesn’t curl up when approached it’s usually because something is wrong.   We’ll check him out and monitor him.

Another one brought in at the same time (shown below) is a female hedgehog – quite a distinctive face, she looks feminine.  All hedgehogs look different when you are used to handling them.  They probably think we humans look all alike!

She has a tick on her nose, we’re just about to get it off.  Don’t every pull them with tweezers though – it leaves legs in and causes infection and an access.  We have a special gadget to remove the tick cleanly.